Metabolic Phenotyping in Epidemiology

Mika Ala-Korpela

Metabolic phenotyping, nowadays most often termed metabolomics, is becoming increasingly applied in molecular epidemiology. Recent technological developments resulting in increased numbers of quantitative molecular applications of metabolomics triggered the idea for a themed issue of the IJE on Metabolic Phenotyping in Epidemiology edited by George Davey Smith and myself.

These developments have been driven by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as the two key experimental methodologies that currently allow for studies at an epidemiological scale. The pivotal role of absolute quantification of identified molecular entities in epidemiology and genetics is evident from a multitude of recent applications. The scientific evidence suggests that these kinds of new technologies will aid molecular understanding of metabolic health and diseases. The focus of the themed issue is on the applications of quantitative metabolic phenotyping.

The themed issue will be published in Volume 45, Issue 5 of the IJE. Here we share some of the contributions to the issue, already published on advance access online: